Improvement in corn-planters



UNITED STATEs PATENT EEicE.

CHARLES ALLEN HASKELL, OF GALENA, ILLINOIS.

IM PROVEM ENT IAN CORN-PLANTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. l 10,458, dated December Q7, 1870.

To whom it may conce-rn:

Be it known that I, CHARLES ALLEN Hhs- KELL, of Galena, in the county of Jo Daviess the letters of reference marked thereon, and being a part of this speciiication, in which- Fignre 1 is a perspective view of my device. Fig. 2 is a cross-section ot' the chaiii-wheels, by means of which the droppcris rotated. Fig. 3 is a cross-section through the seed-box and dropper on the line as in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a detached perspective view of the lever which throws the feed-worksY in and out of gear, and moves the seed-box and dropper back and forth, taken from the front.

Like letters indicate like parts in each iigure.

The nature of this invention relates to an improved construction and method of operatf ing devices for planting corn and other grains in regular and parallel rows.

The invention consists in the novel and peculiar construction of the frame and runninggear of the machine; in a seed-box sliding on the frame of the machine, and the mechanism for moving the same; in the peculiar construction and arrangement of the mechanism for throwing the feed-works in and out of gear with the drivin g-wheel; and in the general arrangement and method of operating the various parts thereof, as more fully hereinafter set forth.

1n the drawing, A represents a rectangular frame, preferably ot' iron, across and in the rear part of which is journaled the axle I3, carrylng at either end a traction-wheel, G, loosely sleeved thereon. D is the front axle, pivoted under the front end of the frame by a proper king-bol t, and carrying at each end a metallic Wheel, E, provided with a sharp disk or flange, E', projecting from the middle ot' its tread, forming a narrow trench in the ground as the machine is drawnforward. Fis a truck-frame, mounted at the four corners on small hanged wheels, which travel on the side bars of the main frame. Gr is an arm on the axle B, to which is pivoted a forked rod, G', connecting it with the truck-frame, so that when'thc axle B is partially rotated the truck-frame will be moved forward or back on the frame A. 1:1 is the seed-box, mounted in the truck-frame. Iis the dropper-shaft,journaled in and through the ends of the truck-frame. Near cach end of this shaft, and just within the ends ot' the seed-box, is secured thereto a dropper-wheel, J, having one or more seed-receptacles in .its periphery, said receptacles being provided with an adjustable false bottoni to regulate the quantity of seed admitted cach time they pass through the seed-box, the seed being prevented from escaping from the seedfbox by elastic plates a, in contact with the (hopper-wheel, as shown iu Fig. 3.

Each charge of seed is conducted by a spout, K, to the trench tornied in the ground by the ange E of the fore wheel.

L is a slide-box at each eud of the droppershaft, placed thereon coincident with the seedrcceptacles in the dropper-wheels, two of said receptacles being shown in the. present invention disposed opposite each other on the wheels.

M is a bar sliding easily between rollers through the box L, and is provided at each end with a weighted marker, M. The bar is provided with a notch, I), near each end, with which engages a catch, c, in either end of the slide-box, operated by a spring, c', in such a manner that the uppermost catch will engage with the bar and hold it until the droppershaft has completed a half-revolution, when the catch is released by a cam-plate, d, in the trnclnfranie, when the bar drops heavily, and the weight on it marks a spot on the ground directly opposite the place where a charge ot' seed has been dropped in the trench, which is subsequently covered up by the broad concave tire of the rear wheel.

N are frame-standards erected on the rear axle, having journalcd iii their upper ends the shaft O, carrying on its outer end the pinion O', which, when the shaft is moved outwardly in its hearings at the tops of the standards, engages with and is rotated by the internally geared spider C', attached to the tract-,ieua wheel C of that side.

P is a chain-wheel at the other end of the isliaft O, which communicates motion to 'the dropper-shaft by an endless chain, Q, passing around the wheel I, and a chain-pinion, P', on said shaft.

N' is a lever attached to the frame-standard, by means of which the axle and its attachments may be partially rotated. The lever is forked in its lower part to receive a ratchet, e, on the shaft O, which is journaled in proper bearings in the fork, the lever with the shaft having a lateral movement ou the axle, and in the journal-boxes at the tops of the standards, so that the driver in his seat may, by moving the lever laterally, throw the pinion O' in or out of gear with the driving-gear C'.

It is a notched quadrant, springing from the rear bar forward to a cross-bar in the frame, between the lever and the drivingwheel. It' is a similar quadrant at the left of the lever.

fis a latch extending across the lever to engage with the notches in either quadrant as the lever may be caused to approach." The latch is operated, in the usual manner, by a bell-crank extending up the face -of the lever.

S is a dog, hinged at one side ofthe fork ot the lever, straddlin g the ratchet c, with which it engages when the pinion O is not in gear with the driving-gear. It has an end extend-V ing beyond the lever, which, when the lever is moved outwardly to brin the pinion in gear, is lifted up by riding an inclined plane 0n the top edge of the box in the adjoining standard N.

TV are markers depending from armsl T', hinged to the sides 0f the main frame, and distant therefrom. the Widthot' the machine bctw een the seed-spouts, and serve to mark the inner of the next pair of rows to be planted. When not in use they are folded up against the sides ofthe machine, as shown in Fig. 1.

In operation, the driver starts in, planting the corn in the new row opposite the spot marks made by the marker M' outside of the last row planted, or check-rowing, as it is generally termed. This he is enabled to do by moving the dropping device backward or forward until the marker drops opposite the marks made near the last row.

In case of meeting an obstruction, the dropper may be moved forward or backto clear it and skip a row, while by throwing the pinion O" out of gear the machine may vbe moved about without operating the dropping mechanisnl.

Suitable Scrapers, such as shown, should be attached to the machine to clear the wheels of any earth adhering thereto.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In corn-planters, the truckfra1ne F, carrying aseed-dropping device and moving on the frame A, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The trame-standards N, shaft 0pinion O', lever N', ratchet c, dog S, and latch f, the arm G, rod G', chain-wheels I) P', chain Q, and dropper-shaft I, in connection with the axle A, driving-gcarC', and truck-frame F, arranged.- and operating substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

. 3. The slide-boxes L, catches c, catch-springs c', and the slide-bars M, provided with markers M', as and for the purpose set l'orth.

CHARLES ALLEN I-IASKELL.

. Witnesses:

HARRY S. SPRAGUE, SAMUEL E. J oNEs. 

